A bench headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur asked why the action has taken in the matter.

It is a report by additional sessions judge, who carried out inspection in the jail on September 4 following complaints from the members of the Chandra brothers and others “luxurious lifestyle”, already available.

Officers are enjoying facilities in Tihar Is there a parallel system running in jails? Do they have special rights in jails? What has you done about it ?, “the bench, also comprising justice Deepak Gupta, asked the Center’s counsel.

“These people are enjoying TV. God knows what they are enjoying. They are sitting on sofas,” the bench observed.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aman Lekhi, appearing for the Center, said that action must be taken in such cases and such instances are “tackled seriously”.

When the ASG said the court was dealing with the issue related to speedy trial, the bench observed, “We are dealing with something which is shocking”.

“What is your government planning to do ?,” the bench asked Lekhi, who said he would get back to the court on this issue.

The court also flagged several of the jails in the state of Bihar, including Bihar.

The issue cropped up in the court when it was hearing a matter related to the jails as highlighted by two apex court judges (one of them has retired) during his visit to Faridabad jail and an observation home in June this year.

Chandra brothers are presently lodged in Tihar jail for allegedly cheating home buyers.

The Additional Sessions Judge, who had carried out inspection in Tihar Jail, had said in his report submitted to Delhi High Court that the circumstances “corruption” and “grave misuse of power” on part of the director general (DG) prisons and Tihar Jail officers

The judge has recommended that a FIR be lodged against DG Prisons and officials of Tihar Jail as such activities also pose an “extra burden on the public treasury”.

He had said in his report that apart from household amenities, including mattresses, mustard oil, foot-mats and stools, in his cell, the Chandra brothers also enjoyed a separate “office” room with a computer with internet, a printer eatables and mineral water

The High Court has taken its own cognitance of the report and the letter written by the inmates and turned it into a public interest litigation.

A division bench of the Delhi High Court has also issued notices to the Director General, DIG Prisons and senior officers of Tihar Jail seeking their response in the matter by the next year.

The inmates in their letter to the court had claimed that while those arrested for financial crimes, like the Chandra brothers, were “enjoying an extra luxurious life in Tihar jail” with a “separate VIP ward” for them, other prisoners were not receiving adequate food, drinking water, fruits and other essentials, including medical treatment.